Monday, November 12, 2007: Psalm 59; Numbers 13-14
Deliver me from my enemies, O my God;
protect me from those who rise up against me;
deliver me from those who work evil,
and save me from bloodthirsty men.
(Psalm 59:1-2)
As good and important as Numbers 13-14 are in the big story, I just want to copy a brief post from the other blog: dicristina:
I mentioned briefly the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church in my sermon yesterday. Of course, the one day is more a reminder to call the problem to our attention than to just pray one day about it. (Though a day of united prayer is awesome and extremely important!) You can find more information about people and places, about governments and mission groups, about the persecuted and those persecuting at: www.persecutedchurch.org
There are a whole bunch of links there. The Voice of the Martyrs is one that Brooke keeps up with through a monthly newsletter - they've been serving the persecuted church for a long time. I like to know the areas or countries that are hot spots, and Open Doors has a list (I'm sure some of the others do too). Another one, not on the list, is The International Justice Mission, or IJM . While IJM is focused on human trafficking, this includes in some cases the persecution of Christians.
O my Strength, I will watch for you,
for you, O God, are my fortress.
My God in his steadfast love will meet me;
God will let me look in triumph on my enemies.
(Psalm 59:9-10)
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20071110
Cloud, craving, complaining
Saturday, November 10, 2007: Psalm 58; Numbers 9-12; John 17
We're getting through both the Pentateuch or Torah (the first five books) and through John! These two stories inform and form our story as followers of Jesus.
The Scripture says four times in Numbers 11 - 12 that the anger of the LORD was kindled, or blazed hotly. What's amazing (again) is that we have these accounts of the cloud (or presence of the LORD), interspersed with the hot anger of the LORD.
And the cloud of the LORD was over them by day, whenever they set out from the camp.
(10:34)
Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. And as soon as the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied.
(11:25)
And in the midst of this the people complained about their misfortunes (11:1), wept about not having meat to eat (11:4), apparently complained or were unsatisfied and unbelieving with regard to the meat (11:33; Ps. 78:30-31), and Aaron and Miriam spoke against Moses (12:1f).
How often we need an attitude adjustment! And how deceitful our cravings are. The craving may be for material/physical comfort or pleasure, or it may be related to jealousy and pride, or as Psalm 78 clarifies for us as it reflects on this story, it may be basic unbelief, distrust, the unwillingness or inability to to satisfied with God, his presence, his leading, his protection, his provision.
What we don't recognize is that our deepest hunger and thirst and longing is for God. "Our hearts are restless, O God, until they find their rest in thee." (Augustine) This is how we were made. All these other cravings never satisfy, never fulfill, never heal or give peace and security.
I trust that most of us reading this have known the peace of God that surpasses understanding, have put our trust in the Lord and known that deep, true sense of security and significance rooted in the steadfast love of the Lord. We have also known what it is like to sit in church, or kneel at the altar, and yet be driven to complaining by our cravings. We have sat with an open Bible, or in a group with his Spirit-filled people, and yet been filled with jealousy and pride.
The manna is really enough. His Spirit upon and within us really is enough. His presence in our midst is enough. Jesus entrusted himself to his Father's will, giving his body and blood to be real food and drink. (This is John's story about Jesus). So that those who entrust themselves to him will have abundant and eternal life, in any wilderness, in spite of trouble, in the face of evil, and even through death itself.
We're getting through both the Pentateuch or Torah (the first five books) and through John! These two stories inform and form our story as followers of Jesus.
The Scripture says four times in Numbers 11 - 12 that the anger of the LORD was kindled, or blazed hotly. What's amazing (again) is that we have these accounts of the cloud (or presence of the LORD), interspersed with the hot anger of the LORD.
And the cloud of the LORD was over them by day, whenever they set out from the camp.
(10:34)
Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. And as soon as the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied.
(11:25)
And in the midst of this the people complained about their misfortunes (11:1), wept about not having meat to eat (11:4), apparently complained or were unsatisfied and unbelieving with regard to the meat (11:33; Ps. 78:30-31), and Aaron and Miriam spoke against Moses (12:1f).
How often we need an attitude adjustment! And how deceitful our cravings are. The craving may be for material/physical comfort or pleasure, or it may be related to jealousy and pride, or as Psalm 78 clarifies for us as it reflects on this story, it may be basic unbelief, distrust, the unwillingness or inability to to satisfied with God, his presence, his leading, his protection, his provision.
What we don't recognize is that our deepest hunger and thirst and longing is for God. "Our hearts are restless, O God, until they find their rest in thee." (Augustine) This is how we were made. All these other cravings never satisfy, never fulfill, never heal or give peace and security.
I trust that most of us reading this have known the peace of God that surpasses understanding, have put our trust in the Lord and known that deep, true sense of security and significance rooted in the steadfast love of the Lord. We have also known what it is like to sit in church, or kneel at the altar, and yet be driven to complaining by our cravings. We have sat with an open Bible, or in a group with his Spirit-filled people, and yet been filled with jealousy and pride.
The manna is really enough. His Spirit upon and within us really is enough. His presence in our midst is enough. Jesus entrusted himself to his Father's will, giving his body and blood to be real food and drink. (This is John's story about Jesus). So that those who entrust themselves to him will have abundant and eternal life, in any wilderness, in spite of trouble, in the face of evil, and even through death itself.
20071109
blessing
November 8, 2007: Psalm 57; Numbers 6; John 16The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them,
The LORD bless you and keep you;
The LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
The LORD lift up his countenance upon you and safeguard you in peace.
So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them."
(Numbers 6:24-26)
God is committed to blessing his people. This "Aaronic blessing" is the blessing par excellence: it is the blessing the priests says over the people and the father over his family.
In the beginning, God blessed the man and woman made in his image. This is, arguably, the principle theme of the Scriptures: the intention of God to bless his creation, and his consummating that original creation purpose through covenant. Creation, covenant, consummation. This is the biblical narrative, this is the thread that runs through the whole story from beginning to end. It is first an economy of (mutual) blessing, and not an economy of sin and redemption. The second serves the first.
I am going to develop this a bit more on the "dicristina" blog today, but
My point here is to emphasize that indeed God is committed to blessing. This blessing is in relationship with him. A shining face, countenance lifted up, these are ways of saying he is looking at you and over you with a radiant, smiling face, and with pride and confidence, with joy and delight. And this blessing is not material luxury or comfort, but about being kept by (in) God and guarded in his peace. It's about God, "so they shall put my name upon the people and bless them." Remember, God's name is all that he is, all his attributes, his honor, his character, his reputation...
Finally, it is all grace - this blessing is not connected to feasts or atonement or offerings... it's not "when the people get their act together" or anything like that, it's just that the priests were to put God's name on the people, to bless them, to remind and convince them what this relationship with God is about.
It's interesting, and encouraging, to read this whole section of John (14-16) in light of this theme (love, joy, peace, abiding in him, the Holy Spirit...).
"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."
(John 16:33)
If you want to hear the blessing in the Hebrew, check out the website below (actually, I think this is the website of the church that Ellie Striplin goes to at college...)
Aaronic blessing - MacLean Bible Church
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they shall be mine
November 8, 2007: Psalm 56; Leviticus 3
"Behold, I have taken the Levites from among the people of Israel instead of every firstborn who opens the womb among the people of Israel."
(Leviticus 3:12)
The Levites were given to Aaron and his sons to guard the priesthood, as they minister at the tabernacle, and to guard all the furnishings of the tent of meeting (vs.7-10). The Levites were the tribe of Levi, one of Jacob's sons and Moses' family. The whole tribe is set apart for this ministry. (cf. Exodus 33:25-29)
"The Levites shall be mine, for all the firstborn are mine. On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I consecrated for my own all the firstborn in Israel, both of man and of beast. They shall be mine: I am the LORD."
(v. 12-13)
What I'm struck by today is this thought that God takes the Levites as the devoted or consecrated firstborn, "instead of every firstborn who opens the womb among the people of Israel". This principle was established back in Exodus 13:12-16, before the people of Israel even got to the Red Sea. Instead, the firstborn are to be "redeemed". God lays claim to all the firstborn in Israel, they were actually consecrated (set apart, made holy) for his own that night in Egypt when he delivered them by killing all the firstborn in Egypt. Even though they killed a Passover lamb and sprinkled the blood on the doorposts and lintel so that the angel of death would "pass over" God still laid claim to his exclusive ownership and use of all firstborn. That's interesting to me. It's almost like in remembrance of those who died in Egypt... Or of course, as God often said, it was to remind them of his deliverance - they were to never, ever forget.
Here's my main thought today: just as we give a tenth to the Lord as a "firstfruit" kind of offering, recognizing that all of our income (increase, fruit, harvest...) comes from God and belongs to God, so there is this principle that the first fruit of the womb is dedicated to God or specially redeemed, reminding us that all our children are a gift from the Lord and are the Lord's. So also, this ministry that, in our case, Robert and I and Walt are set apart for can be seen in this same sense. The ministry at the altar is no longer the exclusive responsibility of one family (Levi), it is a matter of calling. But I trust the principle here remains, that though you as a member of COTA are not ordained and set apart by the Spirit to this ordained ministry, we are a sign that indeed all of us are the Lord's possession and all are set apart for his exclusive service and use.
God says they shall be "consecrated for my own" and "they shall be mine." If God is good, and his steadfast love endures forever, then it is an awesome thing to be his!
I must perform my vows to you, O God
I will render thank offerings to you.
For you have delivered my soul from death,
yes, my feet from falling,
that I may walk before God in the light of life.
(Psalm 56:12-13)
"Behold, I have taken the Levites from among the people of Israel instead of every firstborn who opens the womb among the people of Israel."
(Leviticus 3:12)
The Levites were given to Aaron and his sons to guard the priesthood, as they minister at the tabernacle, and to guard all the furnishings of the tent of meeting (vs.7-10). The Levites were the tribe of Levi, one of Jacob's sons and Moses' family. The whole tribe is set apart for this ministry. (cf. Exodus 33:25-29)
"The Levites shall be mine, for all the firstborn are mine. On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I consecrated for my own all the firstborn in Israel, both of man and of beast. They shall be mine: I am the LORD."
(v. 12-13)
What I'm struck by today is this thought that God takes the Levites as the devoted or consecrated firstborn, "instead of every firstborn who opens the womb among the people of Israel". This principle was established back in Exodus 13:12-16, before the people of Israel even got to the Red Sea. Instead, the firstborn are to be "redeemed". God lays claim to all the firstborn in Israel, they were actually consecrated (set apart, made holy) for his own that night in Egypt when he delivered them by killing all the firstborn in Egypt. Even though they killed a Passover lamb and sprinkled the blood on the doorposts and lintel so that the angel of death would "pass over" God still laid claim to his exclusive ownership and use of all firstborn. That's interesting to me. It's almost like in remembrance of those who died in Egypt... Or of course, as God often said, it was to remind them of his deliverance - they were to never, ever forget.
Here's my main thought today: just as we give a tenth to the Lord as a "firstfruit" kind of offering, recognizing that all of our income (increase, fruit, harvest...) comes from God and belongs to God, so there is this principle that the first fruit of the womb is dedicated to God or specially redeemed, reminding us that all our children are a gift from the Lord and are the Lord's. So also, this ministry that, in our case, Robert and I and Walt are set apart for can be seen in this same sense. The ministry at the altar is no longer the exclusive responsibility of one family (Levi), it is a matter of calling. But I trust the principle here remains, that though you as a member of COTA are not ordained and set apart by the Spirit to this ordained ministry, we are a sign that indeed all of us are the Lord's possession and all are set apart for his exclusive service and use.
God says they shall be "consecrated for my own" and "they shall be mine." If God is good, and his steadfast love endures forever, then it is an awesome thing to be his!
I must perform my vows to you, O God
I will render thank offerings to you.
For you have delivered my soul from death,
yes, my feet from falling,
that I may walk before God in the light of life.
(Psalm 56:12-13)
20071107
Abide in me
November 7, 2007: Psalm 55; John 15
Abide in me, and I in you.
(John 15:4)
This image of the true vine and the vinedresser and the branches, with the repeated call to "abide in me", is to me one of the most enduring and endearing images of discipleship and spiritual formation. While the imagery is beautiful - simple, agrarian, warm (feels like being with good friend talking by a fire - and I don't mean the bonfire burning all the dead branches!) - I think really it is speaking of developing a life with disciplines like prayer and meditating on God's Word (again couldn't that be like being with a good friend talking by a fire, or watching a sunset, or walking at the beach?).
While "abide in me" is perhaps the "how" and "why" and an absolute priority, when I look over the passage again I recognize that the "what" (the passage is about) or the point of this beautiful metaphor is the glorifying of the Father through bearing fruit (which itself, of course, is a metaphor). Jesus begins:
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit."
After several more references to bearing fruit, he ends his talk about branches and the vine, by saying:
"By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples."
"If" we abide in him, draw our life from him and his words and his love, our lives will begin to look like his. More than that, somehow, our lives will be his, his life and love and word flowing through ours...
So, the million dollar question is, what is the fruit he's looking for?
Just sticking with this passage, surely it is his love, and his joy.
(You could also say answered prayer, v. 7, 16)
Give us grace, Lord, to truly abide in you and your words and your love, day by day and moment by moment, that we may glorify the Father by loving one another.
Abide in me, and I in you.
(John 15:4)
This image of the true vine and the vinedresser and the branches, with the repeated call to "abide in me", is to me one of the most enduring and endearing images of discipleship and spiritual formation. While the imagery is beautiful - simple, agrarian, warm (feels like being with good friend talking by a fire - and I don't mean the bonfire burning all the dead branches!) - I think really it is speaking of developing a life with disciplines like prayer and meditating on God's Word (again couldn't that be like being with a good friend talking by a fire, or watching a sunset, or walking at the beach?).
While "abide in me" is perhaps the "how" and "why" and an absolute priority, when I look over the passage again I recognize that the "what" (the passage is about) or the point of this beautiful metaphor is the glorifying of the Father through bearing fruit (which itself, of course, is a metaphor). Jesus begins:
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit."
After several more references to bearing fruit, he ends his talk about branches and the vine, by saying:
"By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples."
"If" we abide in him, draw our life from him and his words and his love, our lives will begin to look like his. More than that, somehow, our lives will be his, his life and love and word flowing through ours...
So, the million dollar question is, what is the fruit he's looking for?
Just sticking with this passage, surely it is his love, and his joy.
(You could also say answered prayer, v. 7, 16)
Give us grace, Lord, to truly abide in you and your words and your love, day by day and moment by moment, that we may glorify the Father by loving one another.
20071106
about face
November 6: Psalm 54; Numbers 2
Behold, God is my helper;
the Lord is the upholder of my life.
(Psalm 54:4)
"They shall camp facing the tent of meeting on every side." (Numbers 2:2)
After "numbering" the tribes in chapter, we hear them numbered again but this time listing their camping places on the east, south, west, and north side of the tabernacle. This symmetry is intriguing to me.
On the one hand, I wonder if they are encamped evenly, three tribes on each side, for protection of the tabernacle; and why is the largest tribe, Judah (from which Jesus is descended, and from which we get the word "Jew"), on the east side?
But God only says, "They shall camp facing the tent of meeting on every side." They weren't to be facing outward, toward the wilderness, toward potential enemies and danger. They were to face the Presence, or that place from which God said he would dwell in their midst. And on every side. As if to say, "Gather all around children; come a little closer, I want you to be near me."
Day by day, first of all, let us face the Lord who loves us, who is our helper and upholder of our lives, and who is our protector. Yes, we have lots to do, and we are responsible to do it. But I don't think God wants us to worry about all that, or even to think first about it. (cf. Matthew 6:25-34)
First, take your place around Him who tabernacled among us, who became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood (The Message), and we saw his glory (his Shekinah)... (John 1:14). First in the day, first in the heart, first in priority. Face him. And gather with his people, facing him. "In the beginning, God..." - it all still works best that way.
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
(2 Corinthians 3:18)
20071105
"In the wilderness"
November 5; Psalm 53, Numbers 1
(from the Introduction of my English Standard Version Bible...)
The English title "Numbers" comes from the two censuses that are a central feature of this book. However, the Hebrew title, "In the Wilderness," is a more descriptive of the book. Numbers tells how God's people traveled from Mount Sinai to the border of the Promised Land. But when they refused to take possession of the Land, God made them wander in the wilderness for nearly forty years. Throughout the book, God is seen as the holy God who cannot permit disobedience, but also as the one who faithfully keeps his covenant and patiently provides for the needs of his people. Numbers ends with a new generation preparing for the conquest of Canaan. Most Jews and Christians recognize Moses as the author, writing during the final year of his life (about 1450 B.C.).
~~~~~
a couple of my thoughts as we begin Numbers:
1) It is interesting that the titles of books in the Jewish Bible usually begin with the first words, and in this case is probably a better title... (eg. Genesis is called "In the beginning").
2) Several stories of note are in this book:
(a) The beautiful Aaronic blessing: "The LORD bless you and keep you..."
(b) The story of the Holy Spirit being poured out on the elders and their prophesying, and Moses' saying "Would that the Spirit be poured out on all the people."
(c) The story of Balaam and Balak (when God spoke through an ass - hope for all of us!) which includes a prophecy of a star rising which would point to a king.
(d) The zeal of Phineas (which is the background story for the zealots of Jesus' day) is described in some (risqué) detail.
(from the Introduction of my English Standard Version Bible...)
The English title "Numbers" comes from the two censuses that are a central feature of this book. However, the Hebrew title, "In the Wilderness," is a more descriptive of the book. Numbers tells how God's people traveled from Mount Sinai to the border of the Promised Land. But when they refused to take possession of the Land, God made them wander in the wilderness for nearly forty years. Throughout the book, God is seen as the holy God who cannot permit disobedience, but also as the one who faithfully keeps his covenant and patiently provides for the needs of his people. Numbers ends with a new generation preparing for the conquest of Canaan. Most Jews and Christians recognize Moses as the author, writing during the final year of his life (about 1450 B.C.).
~~~~~
a couple of my thoughts as we begin Numbers:
1) It is interesting that the titles of books in the Jewish Bible usually begin with the first words, and in this case is probably a better title... (eg. Genesis is called "In the beginning").
2) Several stories of note are in this book:
(a) The beautiful Aaronic blessing: "The LORD bless you and keep you..."
(b) The story of the Holy Spirit being poured out on the elders and their prophesying, and Moses' saying "Would that the Spirit be poured out on all the people."
(c) The story of Balaam and Balak (when God spoke through an ass - hope for all of us!) which includes a prophecy of a star rising which would point to a king.
(d) The zeal of Phineas (which is the background story for the zealots of Jesus' day) is described in some (risqué) detail.
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